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Chengdu Stuns Attendees As Place Of China-Australia Media Forum

CHENGDU, China, Nov. 8, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The 4th China-Australia Media Forum took place in the megacity of Chengdu, Western China, on November 2nd. The forum was an initiative introduced in 2006 and the last forum was held in Sydney, Australia.

It marked the second time that Chengdu hosted a high-level international mass media event over the last two months. Earlier in September, main news agencies from eight Asia-Pacific countries, including but not limited to China, Australia, Japan and South Korea, met in the city as an autumn usual. "It's both ancient and modern. There's much more than good food and giant pandas. Its development potential is eye-catching, too." AAP CEO Bruce Davidson aired his views on Chengdu.

As Chengdu and Australia strengthen mutual economic and trade relations these years, Australia has risen as an important trade partner of and investor in Chengdu. Similarly, Chengdu is now also Australia's most important partner in Western China.

Australia set up a Consulate General in Chengdu in 2013 to encompass Western China - the first time it established a consulate in China since 1992.

The same year, Chengdu opened nonstop air routes to Melbourne. With the ongoing economic, cultural and social exchanges, beef, wine and even fresh produce (e.g. lobster) from Australia have appeared on the table of Chengdu families.

Chengdu became a sister city of the Australian city of Perth as early as 2010. Since then, the two cities have been successful in cooperating on education, tourism, etc. Thus far, 120 Australian investors, including ANZ, BlueScope and Goodman, have made investments in Chengdu.

What is it that makes the city renowned for giant pandas and spicy delicacies attractive to the Australian government and Australian investors?